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Chancellor of Germany

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Chancellor of Germany

The chancellor of Germany, officially the federal chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, is the head of the federal government of Germany. The chancellor is the chief executive of the Federal Cabinet and heads the executive branch. The chancellor is elected by the Bundestag on the proposal of the federal president and without debate (Article 63 of the German Constitution). During a state of defence declared by the Bundestag the chancellor also assumes the position of commander-in-chief of the Bundeswehr. Ten people (nine men and one woman) have served as chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, the first being Konrad Adenauer from 1949 to 1963. (Another 26 men had served as "Reich chancellors" of the previous German Empire from 1871 to 1945.) The current officeholder is Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union, sworn in on 6 May 2025.

Infobox

Style
Mr. Chancellor (informal) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Type
Head of government Commander-in-Chief during state of defence
Member of
Federal Cabinet European Council
Residence
Federal Chancellery, Berlin
Seat
Federal Chancellery, Berlin (main seat) Palais Schaumburg, Bonn (secondary seat)
Nominator
President
Appointer
President upon election by the Bundestag
Term length
until the constitution of a new Bundestag (renewable)
Constituting instrument
German Basic Law (German Constitution)
Formation
1 July 1867 (1867-07-01)
First holder
Otto von Bismarck
Deputy
Vice Chancellor
Salary
€255,150 per year (as of 2020)
Website
bundeskanzler /bk-en

Tables

· Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (1949–present) › List of chancellors (present)
Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967)
1949
1949–1963
Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967)
Term of office
15 September 1949 – 16 October 1963
Term of office
14 years, 31 days
Political party
CDU
Vice Chancellor(s)
Franz Blücher (1949–57) Ludwig Erhard (1957–63)
Cabinets
IIIIIIIV
Ludwig Erhard (1897–1977)
1963
1963–1966
Ludwig Erhard (1897–1977)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Ludwig Erhard (1897–1977)
Term of office
16 October 1963 – 1 December 1966
Term of office
3 years, 46 days
Political party
CDU
Vice Chancellor(s)
Erich Mende (1963–66) Hans-Chr. Seebohm (1966)
Cabinets
III
Kurt Georg Kiesinger (1904–1988)
1966
1966–1969
Kurt Georg Kiesinger (1904–1988)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Kurt Georg Kiesinger (1904–1988)
Term of office
1 December 1966 – 22 October 1969
Term of office
2 years, 325 days
Political party
CDU
Vice Chancellor(s)
Willy Brandt (1966–69)
Cabinets
I
Willy Brandt (1913–1992)
1969
1969–1974
Willy Brandt (1913–1992)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Willy Brandt (1913–1992)
Term of office
22 October 1969 – 7 May 1974
Term of office
4 years, 197 days
Political party
SPD
Vice Chancellor(s)
Walter Scheel (1969–74)
Cabinets
III
Helmut Schmidt (1918–2015)
1974
1974–1982
Helmut Schmidt (1918–2015)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Helmut Schmidt (1918–2015)
Term of office
16 May 1974 – 1 October 1982
Term of office
8 years, 138 days
Political party
SPD
Vice Chancellor(s)
Hans-D. Genscher (1974–82) Egon Franke (1982)
Cabinets
IIIIII
Helmut Kohl (1930–2017)
1982
1982–1998
Helmut Kohl (1930–2017)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Helmut Kohl (1930–2017)
Term of office
1 October 1982 – 27 October 1998
Term of office
16 years, 26 days
Political party
CDU
Vice Chancellor(s)
Hans-D. Genscher (1982–92) Jürgen Möllemann (1992–93) Klaus Kinkel (1993–98)
Cabinets
IIIIIIIVV
Gerhard Schröder (b. 1944)
1998
1998–2005
Gerhard Schröder (b. 1944)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Gerhard Schröder (b. 1944)
Term of office
27 October 1998 – 22 November 2005
Term of office
7 years, 26 days
Political party
SPD
Vice Chancellor(s)
Joschka Fischer (1998–2005)
Cabinets
III
Angela Merkel (b. 1954)
2005
2005–2021
Angela Merkel (b. 1954)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Angela Merkel (b. 1954)
Term of office
22 November 2005 – 8 December 2021
Term of office
16 years, 16 days
Political party
CDU
Vice Chancellor(s)
Franz Müntefering (2005–07) Frank-W. Steinmeier (2007–09) Guido Westerwelle (2009–11) Philipp Rösler (2011–13) Sigmar Gabriel (2013–18) Olaf Scholz (2018–21)
Cabinets
IIIIIIIV
Olaf Scholz (b. 1958)
2021
2021–2025
Olaf Scholz (b. 1958)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Olaf Scholz (b. 1958)
Term of office
8 December 2021 – 6 May 2025
Term of office
3 years, 149 days
Political party
SPD
Vice Chancellor(s)
Robert Habeck (2021–25)
Cabinets
I
Friedrich Merz (b. 1955)
Friedrich Merz (b. 1955)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Friedrich Merz (b. 1955)
Term of office
6 May 2025 – Incumbent
Term of office
1 year, 18 days
Political party
CDU
Vice Chancellor(s)
Lars Klingbeil (Incumbent)
Cabinets
I
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Term of office
Political party
Vice Chancellor(s)
Cabinets
Term
Time in office
1
Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967)
15 September 1949 – 16 October 1963
14 years, 31 days
CDU
Franz Blücher (1949–57) Ludwig Erhard (1957–63)
IIIIIIIV
2
Ludwig Erhard (1897–1977)
16 October 1963 – 1 December 1966
3 years, 46 days
CDU
Erich Mende (1963–66) Hans-Chr. Seebohm (1966)
III
3
Kurt Georg Kiesinger (1904–1988)
1 December 1966 – 22 October 1969
2 years, 325 days
CDU
Willy Brandt (1966–69)
I
4
Willy Brandt (1913–1992)
22 October 1969 – 7 May 1974
4 years, 197 days
SPD
Walter Scheel (1969–74)
III
Vice Chancellor Walter Scheel served as acting Chancellor from 7 May to 16 May 1974.
5
Helmut Schmidt (1918–2015)
16 May 1974 – 1 October 1982
8 years, 138 days
SPD
Hans-D. Genscher (1974–82) Egon Franke (1982)
IIIIII
6
Helmut Kohl (1930–2017)
1 October 1982 – 27 October 1998
16 years, 26 days
CDU
Hans-D. Genscher (1982–92) Jürgen Möllemann (1992–93) Klaus Kinkel (1993–98)
IIIIIIIVV
7
Gerhard Schröder (b. 1944)
27 October 1998 – 22 November 2005
7 years, 26 days
SPD
Joschka Fischer (1998–2005)
III
8
Angela Merkel (b. 1954)
22 November 2005 – 8 December 2021
16 years, 16 days
CDU
Franz Müntefering (2005–07) Frank-W. Steinmeier (2007–09) Guido Westerwelle (2009–11) Philipp Rösler (2011–13) Sigmar Gabriel (2013–18) Olaf Scholz (2018–21)
IIIIIIIV
9
Olaf Scholz (b. 1958)
8 December 2021 – 6 May 2025
3 years, 149 days
SPD
Robert Habeck (2021–25)
I
10
Friedrich Merz (b. 1955)
6 May 2025 – Incumbent
1 year, 18 days
CDU
Lars Klingbeil (Incumbent)
I
· Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (1949–present) › Confidence
27 April 1972
27 April 1972
Date
27 April 1972
Proposed Candidate (Party)
Rainer Barzel (CDU)
Incumbent Chancellor (Party)
Willy Brandt (SPD)
Yes-votes
247
No-votes
10
Abstentions
3
Absent / void
236
Necessary majority
249
Result
Motion failed
1 October 1982
1 October 1982
Date
1 October 1982
Proposed Candidate (Party)
Helmut Kohl (CDU)
Incumbent Chancellor (Party)
Helmut Schmidt (SPD)
Yes-votes
256
No-votes
235
Abstentions
4
Absent / void
2
Necessary majority
249
Result
Motion successful
Date
Proposed Candidate (Party)
Incumbent Chancellor (Party)
Yes-votes
No-votes
Abstentions
Absent / void
Necessary majority
Result
27 April 1972
Rainer Barzel (CDU)
Willy Brandt (SPD)
247
10
3
236
249
Motion failed
1 October 1982
Helmut Kohl (CDU)
Helmut Schmidt (SPD)
256
235
4
2
249
Motion successful
· Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (1949–present) › Vice chancellor › List of vice chancellors (1949–present)
Franz Blücher (1896–1959)
1949
1949–1957
Franz Blücher (1896–1959)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Franz Blücher (1896–1959)
Term of office
20 September 1949 – 29 October 1957
Term of office
8 years, 30 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Adenauer I Adenauer II
Portfolio
Marshall Plan/Economic Cooperation
Ludwig Erhard (1897–1977)
1957
1957–1963
Ludwig Erhard (1897–1977)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Ludwig Erhard (1897–1977)
Term of office
29 October 1957 – 16 October 1963
Term of office
5 years, 362 days
Political party
CDU
Cabinet
Adenauer III Adenauer IV
Portfolio
Economic Affairs
Erich Mende (1916–1998)
1963
1963–1966
Erich Mende (1916–1998)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Erich Mende (1916–1998)
Term of office
17 October 1963 – 28 October 1966
Term of office
3 years, 10 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Erhard I Erhard II
Portfolio
Intra-German Relations
Hans-Christoph Seebohm (1903–1967)
1966
1966–1966
Hans-Christoph Seebohm (1903–1967)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Hans-Christoph Seebohm (1903–1967)
Term of office
8 November 1966 – 1 December 1966
Term of office
23 days
Political party
CDU
Cabinet
Erhard II
Portfolio
Transport
Willy Brandt (1913–1992)
1966
1966–1969
Willy Brandt (1913–1992)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Willy Brandt (1913–1992)
Term of office
1 December 1966 – 22 October 1969
Term of office
2 years, 325 days
Political party
SPD
Cabinet
Kiesinger
Portfolio
Foreign Affairs
Walter Scheel (1919–2016)
1969
1969–1974
Walter Scheel (1919–2016)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Walter Scheel (1919–2016)
Term of office
22 October 1969 – 16 May 1974
Term of office
4 years, 207 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Brandt I Brandt II
Portfolio
Foreign Affairs
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) 1st term
1974
1974–1982
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) 1st term
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) 1st term
Term of office
17 May 1974 – 17 September 1982
Term of office
8 years, 123 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Schmidt I Schmidt II Schmidt III
Portfolio
Foreign Affairs
Egon Franke (1913–1995)
1982
1982–1982
Egon Franke (1913–1995)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Egon Franke (1913–1995)
Term of office
17 September 1982 – 1 October 1982
Term of office
14 days
Political party
SPD
Cabinet
Schmidt III
Portfolio
Intra-German Relations
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) 2nd term
1982
1982–1992
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) 2nd term
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) 2nd term
Term of office
4 October 1982 – 18 May 1992
Term of office
9 years, 230 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Kohl I Kohl II Kohl III Kohl IV
Portfolio
Foreign Affairs
Jürgen Möllemann (1945–2003)
1992
1992–1993
Jürgen Möllemann (1945–2003)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Jürgen Möllemann (1945–2003)
Term of office
18 May 1992 – 21 January 1993
Term of office
249 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Kohl IV
Portfolio
Economic Affairs
Klaus Kinkel (1936–2019)
1993
1993–1998
Klaus Kinkel (1936–2019)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Klaus Kinkel (1936–2019)
Term of office
21 January 1993 – 27 October 1998
Term of office
5 years, 279 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Kohl IV Kohl V
Portfolio
Foreign Affairs
Joschka Fischer (b. 1948)
1998
1998–2005
Joschka Fischer (b. 1948)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Joschka Fischer (b. 1948)
Term of office
27 October 1998 – 22 November 2005
Term of office
7 years, 26 days
Political party
Alliance 90/The Greens
Cabinet
Schröder I Schröder II
Portfolio
Foreign Affairs
Franz Müntefering (b. 1940)
2005
2005–2007
Franz Müntefering (b. 1940)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Franz Müntefering (b. 1940)
Term of office
22 November 2005 – 21 November 2007
Term of office
1 year, 364 days
Political party
SPD
Cabinet
Merkel I
Portfolio
Labour and Social Affairs
Frank-Walter Steinmeier (b. 1956)
2007
2007–2009
Frank-Walter Steinmeier (b. 1956)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Frank-Walter Steinmeier (b. 1956)
Term of office
21 November 2007 – 27 October 2009
Term of office
1 year, 340 days
Political party
SPD
Cabinet
Merkel I
Portfolio
Foreign Affairs
Guido Westerwelle (1961–2016)
2009
2009–2011
Guido Westerwelle (1961–2016)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Guido Westerwelle (1961–2016)
Term of office
27 October 2009 – 16 May 2011
Term of office
1 year, 201 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Merkel II
Portfolio
Foreign Affairs
Philipp Rösler (b. 1973)
2011
2011–2013
Philipp Rösler (b. 1973)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Philipp Rösler (b. 1973)
Term of office
16 May 2011 – 17 December 2013
Term of office
2 years, 215 days
Political party
FDP
Cabinet
Merkel II
Portfolio
Economic Affairs
Sigmar Gabriel (b. 1959)
2013
2013–2018
Sigmar Gabriel (b. 1959)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Sigmar Gabriel (b. 1959)
Term of office
17 December 2013 – 14 March 2018
Term of office
4 years, 87 days
Political party
SPD
Cabinet
Merkel III
Portfolio
Economic Affairs (2013–2017) Foreign Affairs (2017–2018)
Olaf Scholz (b. 1958)
2018
2018–2021
Olaf Scholz (b. 1958)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Olaf Scholz (b. 1958)
Term of office
14 March 2018 – 8 December 2021
Term of office
3 years, 269 days
Political party
SPD
Cabinet
Merkel IV
Portfolio
Finance
Robert Habeck (b. 1969)
2021
2021–2025
Robert Habeck (b. 1969)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Robert Habeck (b. 1969)
Term of office
8 December 2021 – 6 May 2025
Term of office
3 years, 149 days
Political party
Alliance 90/The Greens
Cabinet
Scholz
Portfolio
Economic Affairs and Climate Protection
Lars Klingbeil (b. 1978)
Lars Klingbeil (b. 1978)
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Lars Klingbeil (b. 1978)
Term of office
6 May 2025 – Incumbent
Term of office
1 year, 18 days
Political party
SPD
Cabinet
Merz
Portfolio
Finance
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Term of office
Political party
Cabinet
Portfolio
Term
Time in office
1
Franz Blücher (1896–1959)
20 September 1949 – 29 October 1957
8 years, 30 days
FDP
Adenauer I Adenauer II
Marshall Plan/Economic Cooperation
2
Ludwig Erhard (1897–1977)
29 October 1957 – 16 October 1963
5 years, 362 days
CDU
Adenauer III Adenauer IV
Economic Affairs
3
Erich Mende (1916–1998)
17 October 1963 – 28 October 1966
3 years, 10 days
FDP
Erhard I Erhard II
Intra-German Relations
The office was vacant from 28 October to 8 November 1966.
4
Hans-Christoph Seebohm (1903–1967)
8 November 1966 – 1 December 1966
23 days
CDU
Erhard II
Transport
5
Willy Brandt (1913–1992)
1 December 1966 – 22 October 1969
2 years, 325 days
SPD
Kiesinger
Foreign Affairs
6
Walter Scheel (1919–2016)
22 October 1969 – 16 May 1974
4 years, 207 days
FDP
Brandt I Brandt II
Foreign Affairs
7
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) 1st term
17 May 1974 – 17 September 1982
8 years, 123 days
FDP
Schmidt I Schmidt II Schmidt III
Foreign Affairs
8
Egon Franke (1913–1995)
17 September 1982 – 1 October 1982
14 days
SPD
Schmidt III
Intra-German Relations
The office was vacant from 1 October to 4 October 1982.
9
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) 2nd term
4 October 1982 – 18 May 1992
9 years, 230 days
FDP
Kohl I Kohl II Kohl III Kohl IV
Foreign Affairs
10
Jürgen Möllemann (1945–2003)
18 May 1992 – 21 January 1993
249 days
FDP
Kohl IV
Economic Affairs
11
Klaus Kinkel (1936–2019)
21 January 1993 – 27 October 1998
5 years, 279 days
FDP
Kohl IV Kohl V
Foreign Affairs
12
Joschka Fischer (b. 1948)
27 October 1998 – 22 November 2005
7 years, 26 days
Alliance 90/The Greens
Schröder I Schröder II
Foreign Affairs
13
Franz Müntefering (b. 1940)
22 November 2005 – 21 November 2007
1 year, 364 days
SPD
Merkel I
Labour and Social Affairs
14
Frank-Walter Steinmeier (b. 1956)
21 November 2007 – 27 October 2009
1 year, 340 days
SPD
Merkel I
Foreign Affairs
15
Guido Westerwelle (1961–2016)
27 October 2009 – 16 May 2011
1 year, 201 days
FDP
Merkel II
Foreign Affairs
16
Philipp Rösler (b. 1973)
16 May 2011 – 17 December 2013
2 years, 215 days
FDP
Merkel II
Economic Affairs
17
Sigmar Gabriel (b. 1959)
17 December 2013 – 14 March 2018
4 years, 87 days
SPD
Merkel III
Economic Affairs (2013–2017) Foreign Affairs (2017–2018)
18
Olaf Scholz (b. 1958)
14 March 2018 – 8 December 2021
3 years, 269 days
SPD
Merkel IV
Finance
19
Robert Habeck (b. 1969)
8 December 2021 – 6 May 2025
3 years, 149 days
Alliance 90/The Greens
Scholz
Economic Affairs and Climate Protection
20
Lars Klingbeil (b. 1978)
6 May 2025 – Incumbent
1 year, 18 days
SPD
Merz
Finance

References

  1. German: Bundeskanzler(in) der Bundesrepublik Deutschland; often shortened to Bundeskanzler/Bundeskanzlerin, pronounced [
    https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/-in#German
  2. It is unclear whether and from when Erhard was formally a member of the CDU; however, he was a member of the CDU/CSU gro
  3. "Ratgeber für Anschriften und Anreden"
    https://www.protokoll-inland.de/SharedDocs/downloads/Webs/PI/DE/Allgemeines/Anschriften.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=1
  4. "Das Amt des Bundeskanzlers: Einzelfragen zur Vergütung und weiteren Leistungen"
    https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/724148/2a9ee1b4947ff02b8f8b0a7dbf61eb05/WD-3-177-20-pdf-data.pdf
  5. Wikisource
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany_(2010)#Article_63_%5bElection_of_the_Federal_Chancellor
  6. www
    https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html
  7. see also Weimar Constitution 2: The Reichstag and the Reich government.
  8. Gesetz über das Staatsoberhaupt des Deutschen Reichs, 1. August 1934: „§ 1. Das Amt des Reichspräsidenten wird mit dem d
    http://www.documentarchiv.de/ns/stobrhpt.html
  9. Wilhelm II was an uncle of Max von Baden.
  10. 29. Oktober 1918: Wilhelm II. verlässt überraschend Berlin
    https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/1918-10-29-revolutionskalender-27-291018-574062
  11. de:Richtlinienkompetenz
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richtlinienkompetenz
  12. de:Michael Kotulla: Deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte. Vom Alten Reich bis Weimar (1495–1934). Springer, Berlin 2008, p. 54
    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kotulla
  13. Ernst Rudolf Huber: Deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte seit 1789. Vol. IV: Struktur und Krisen des Kaiserreiches. Kohlhammer
  14. Weimar constitution
    https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Weimar_constitution
  15. Deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte seit 1789. Band VI: Die Weimarer Reichsverfassung
  16. Geschichte der Weimarer Verfassung
  17. Deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte seit 1789. Band VI: Die Weimarer Reichsverfassung
  18. Deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte seit 1789. Band VI: Die Weimarer Reichsverfassung
  19. Basic Law, Article 63.
  20. Gesetze im Internet
    https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#p0296
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